Now while they were
going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief
priests all the things that had happened. When they were assembled with
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to
the soldiers, saying,
"Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we
slept. If this comes to
the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of
worry." So they
took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad
among the Jews, and continues until this day.